Past Winner Stories
Gaylor Electric
www.gaylor.com
"I look for people who have values. I can teach volts and amps, but I can't teach integrity."
"Gaylor Electric was an experiment," says John Gaylor, founder and president of the electrical contractor in Carmel. "I wanted to see if I could take the best practices in the industry and throw out the worst."
Gaylor worked as a union electrician for more than a decade before he grew increasingly disillusioned with organized labor and its politics. He decided to set up a "merit," or nonunion, shop that treated employees fairly and paid them well.
First, Gaylor set out to recruit the best workers he could find. Next, he established Gaylor University, an on-site school offering professional development courses, everything from English as a second language to technical training. Plus, he established an apprenticeship program for high school students. “I'11 take you from high school to grad school if that's what you want," he says.
The idea behind his investment in employees is simple. "I know what the reputation of construction workers is, and I'm doing my part to change that," explains Gaylor. "I want my employees to be the best they can be and be proud of their work."
"Gaylor Electric was an experiment," says John Gaylor, founder and president of the electrical contractor in Carmel. "I wanted to see if I could take the best practices in the industry and throw out the worst."
Gaylor worked as a union electrician for more than a decade before he grew increasingly disillusioned with organized labor and its politics. He decided to set up a "merit," or nonunion, shop that treated employees fairly and paid them well.
First, Gaylor set out to recruit the best workers he could find. Next, he established Gaylor University, an on-site school offering professional development courses, everything from English as a second language to technical training. Plus, he established an apprenticeship program for high school students. “I'11 take you from high school to grad school if that's what you want," he says.
The idea behind his investment in employees is simple. "I know what the reputation of construction workers is, and I'm doing my part to change that," explains Gaylor. "I want my employees to be the best they can be and be proud of their work."